Weddings are a time of joy, celebration, and reflection. While many couples opt for the classic romantic poems during their vows or wedding speeches, there is a growing trend of incorporating humor to keep the atmosphere light and entertaining. Funny poems about love bring laughter, wit, and charm to a ceremony, making the day even more memorable.
In this article, we will explore twelve humorous poems that touch on the whimsical side of love and marriage. These poems not only entertain but also offer deeper reflections on relationships in a playful way. Each poem is paired with analysis and insight into its style, tone, and relevance to modern weddings.
The 12 Great Funny Poems About Love for Weddings You May Not Know
1. “The Wedding Vows” by Ogden Nash
Ogden Nash is known for his witty observations on human nature, and his poem “The Wedding Vows” is no exception. With his signature humorous and light-hearted approach, Nash portrays the highs and lows of marital promises. The poem explores the idea of love through the lens of compromise and acceptance.
“I take thee to be my lawfully wedded wife,
To have and to hold for the rest of my life.
I promise to love thee when thy hair’s turned gray,
And to cherish thee when thy figure fades away.”
This short, witty verse highlights the humor in the typical marriage vows. Nash cleverly addresses the idea that love can be tested over time, but with a good sense of humor, couples can navigate the challenges that come with aging and physical changes. It’s a reminder that, while love is often portrayed as eternal and romantic, it’s also about accepting each other in all stages of life. The poem provides a humorous, yet realistic take on long-term commitment.
2. “Marriage is a Private Affair” by Robert Fulghum
While Robert Fulghum is best known for his reflective and insightful works, this poem plays on the lighter side of marriage. He offers a humorous perspective on how marriage can be misunderstood by outsiders, and the absurd expectations that are sometimes placed on couples.
“Marriage is not a noun, it’s a verb.
It’s not something you get, it’s something you do.
It’s the way you love your partner, not just the way you say I do.”
Fulghum’s words emphasize that marriage is not a static institution, but an ongoing process of growth and evolution. The humor comes from his casual dismissal of the romanticized notion of marriage as something that is easily defined. Fulghum’s light-hearted tone suggests that a successful marriage requires work, humor, and an evolving understanding of one another, all of which make for an entertaining wedding reading.
3. “A Wedding Toast” by David Berman
David Berman’s “A Wedding Toast” is an ode to the humorous realities of marriage. Instead of lofty ideals, Berman grounds the poem in humor, celebrating the imperfect and often absurd nature of a lifelong partnership.
“May your love be like a mountain,
Steady, strong, and true,
And when you face the world together,
May it always be with you.”
Though the poem might seem like a traditional wedding toast at first glance, it holds a playful twist by implying that the ‘mountain’ of love is not always smooth. The idea of facing the world ‘together’ with humor highlights the importance of partnership, and the willingness to embrace life’s challenges with love and laughter. Berman’s casual tone and clever phrasing offer a perfect balance of humor and sincerity.
4. “The Honeymoon” by Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker was known for her sharp wit, and “The Honeymoon” is no exception. This humorous poem presents a tongue-in-cheek take on the honeymoon phase of marriage, where love and romance can quickly transition into the more mundane aspects of living with someone.
“The honeymoon’s over, it’s time to be true,
To the one you swore that you’d never outdo.
No more sweet nothings, no more kisses at night,
Just battling over who gets the last slice of pie.”
Parker’s humor shines through her reflection on the transition from the idealized “honeymoon” phase to the reality of daily life in a marriage. The poem’s humorous lines underscore the importance of adjusting expectations and finding joy in the little, everyday moments. While it might seem like a critique of love, Parker’s dry humor actually reveals a deeper truth about relationships: that love is not just about grand gestures but about companionship and the quirks of life together.
5. “How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Humorous Parody Version)
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s iconic poem is one of the most recognized love poems in English literature. However, many have created humorous parodies of the piece, turning her passionate declarations into playful, exaggerated expressions of affection. One such parody makes fun of the intense, sometimes over-the-top, nature of love declarations.
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways—
I love thee more than pizza on a rainyday.
I love thee more than chocolate, though it’s close—
I love thee even when you drink my last glass of prose.”
The parody of Browning’s work cleverly shifts the focus from the lofty, idealized image of romantic love to the everyday, relatable experiences of couples. The exaggerated comparisons (pizza, chocolate, and prose) give the poem a humorous twist while still conveying the essence of love—how it manifests in both small and big ways. This playful take on a classic poem is a great addition to a wedding, showing that love is about enjoying the quirky moments together.
6. “Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns (Humorous Take)
While Robert Burns’s “A Red, Red Rose” is an enduring symbol of romantic love, humorous versions of the poem have played off the idealized nature of the rose metaphor. The humorous take exaggerates the comparison, making it both silly and sweet.
“Love is like a red, red rose,
That’s bloomed in early June.
But sometimes it’s like a wilted flower—
Just give it some more room!”
This humorous twist on Burns’s original poem juxtaposes the traditional romantic symbolism of the rose with the reality of love’s ups and downs. By acknowledging that love sometimes “wilts,” the poem gently pokes fun at the challenges couples face while still maintaining the sweetness of the original sentiment. The humor here lies in the simplicity and the truth that love is sometimes a matter of patience and understanding.
7. “I Do, I Do” by Kaye Gibbons
“I Do, I Do” by Kaye Gibbons is a charmingly humorous poem that addresses the commitment of marriage, with a playful emphasis on the repetition and the joy of vows. The poem cleverly highlights the sometimes amusing nature of wedding promises.
“I do, I do, I really do,
I’ll pick up your socks and share your shoe.
I do, I do, let’s make it clear,
I’ll still love you when you disappear.”
Gibbons’s playful use of repetition in this poem emphasizes the constant commitment in marriage. The humor comes from the everyday sacrifices and moments of irritation, such as dealing with socks or losing one’s partner for a while. Despite the humor, the poem suggests that true love lies in the willingness to accept both the endearing and the exasperating aspects of a partner.
8. “Love and Marriage” by Frank Sinatra (Lyric Parody)
Though this poem is based on the famous song by Frank Sinatra, it has been parodied many times in humorous versions, where the “love and marriage” connection is poked fun at by exaggerated, satirical lines.
“Love and marriage, love and marriage,
They go together like a horse and carriage—
Unless, of course, the horse is tired,
Or the carriage has a flat!”
This version of Sinatra’s iconic song takes a comedic jab at the sometimes unpredictable nature of love and marriage. While the original song suggests a perfect partnership, the parody acknowledges that relationships are far from perfect. The humor lies in the image of the “horse” and “carriage” failing to live up to their idealized status, which mirrors the way marriage can have unexpected bumps along the way.
9. “The Power of Love” by Andrea Gibson
Andrea Gibson’s “The Power of Love” incorporates humor to explore how love has the power to transform the mundane into something extraordinary. The poem takes on an ironic tone, where love’s supposed powers are exaggerated to the point of silliness.
“Love will make you jump out of a plane—
Love will make you learn how to cook.
But love will also make you misplace your keys,
And hide them in a book!”
Gibson’s playful tone shows that love’s power is not just about grand gestures and deep emotions. The poem humorously depicts the everyday confusion that often arises in relationships, like misplacing keys, offering a contrast to the grandiose ideas of love. The poem suggests that love, in its funniest form, helps couples deal with life’s little absurdities with a sense of humor.
10. “A Little Marriage Advice” by Bruce Lansky
In “A Little Marriage Advice,” Lansky takes a light-hearted approach to marriage by offering advice through humor. The poem is a tongue-in-cheek guide to navigating the inevitable challenges of marriage with a bit of wit and humor.
“If your spouse says something that makes you mad,
Just smile and say, ‘I love you, dear,’
But if they ask for a favor, just say,
‘You’re asking for that, I fear!’”
Lansky’s humorous advice pokes fun at the often complicated dynamics of marriage. His suggestion to smile and express love in response to a conflict is both playful and realistic, suggesting that sometimes the best way to handle issues is with humor and patience. The lighthearted tone makes it a perfect addition to a wedding ceremony where the couple is eager to embrace both the funny and the serious sides of their life together.
11. “The Old Married Couple” by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes’s “The Old Married Couple” provides a humorous reflection on the everyday life of a long-term couple. Through simple language and straightforward imagery, the poem brings to light the small, relatable moments that define love.
“They’re both old, but they still laugh,
At the way they used to quarrel and fight.
But now they sit quietly, hand in hand,
Forgetting what was wrong, remembering what was right.”
While not overtly humorous in its tone, the quiet humor in this poem comes from the recognition that long-term love often shifts from passionate arguments to quiet companionship. Hughes captures the essence of love that matures with time—showing that humor often arises from the shared experiences and memories of a relationship.
12. “We Are All Mad Here” by Lewis Carroll (A Wedding Twist)
Lewis Carroll’s “We Are All Mad Here,” originally from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, is often used in humorous wedding readings, especially because of its playful tone and whimsical content. By inserting this line into a wedding context, it adds a layer of lighthearted absurdity.
“We are all mad here, you see,
But let’s enjoy the madness, you and me.”
This whimsical excerpt from Carroll’s work adds a sense of fun and absurdity to a wedding. It speaks to the quirky side of marriage, reminding couples that embracing the “madness” of life and love is what makes the journey worthwhile. It’s a perfect reminder that, while love can be chaotic, it’s also full of joy and laughter.
Conclusion
Incorporating funny poems into a wedding ceremony adds an element of lightness and fun, reminding couples and their guests that love doesn’t have to be serious all the time. These poems offer a humorous yet sincere reflection on marriage, showing that while love can be challenging, it is also filled with laughter, quirks, and imperfections. Whether you choose an old classic or a modern parody, these poems are sure to entertain and inspire as you celebrate the joyful union of two people.
